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Conway sells new-car business to MacMulkin in Nashua

By Rick Sobey, Sun Staff

Updated:
03/29/2013 09:51:42 AM EDT

Conway Chevrolet Buick, at 23 Hollis St. in Pepperell, has sold its new-car business to MacMulkin Chevrolet Cadillac of Nashua, ending Conway's 33-year association with General Motors. Conway will continue as the Conway Service and Sales Center, selling used autos and servicing vehicles. SUN / DAVID H. BROW

PEPPERELL -- Mirroring a national trend of larger car dealerships taking the inventory from smaller ones nearby, Conway Chevrolet Buick at 23 Hollis St. has been partially purchased by a Nashua dealership.

Conway Service and Sales Center will no longer sell new cars, but the Pepperell dealership will continue selling used cars, as well as servicing vehicles.

"We've had a long and enjoyable relationship with GM, their representatives and the staff at GMAC financial," owner Dick Conway said in a statement. "However, the trend nationally is toward larger dealerships and fewer of them. The dealer costs related are substantial and we feel now is the time to accept the trend and move forward.

"The good news is that the new Conway Service and Sales Center will continue to service GM vehicles as well as other makes and models," he added.

The Conway business, he said, will sell "a fine selection of pre-owned vehicles at competitive prices."

Conway declined to comment further on the sale.

MacMulkin Chevrolet Cadillac, at 3 Marmon Drive in Nashua, will move the Pepperell new-car operation to New Hampshire.

"It's great for us to be able to expand, and it's only a few minutes away for customers in the area," MacMulkin co-owner Jeffrey Thompson said. "It's a win-win for everyone.

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We get to expand, the Conways are able to get out of the new-car business, and it's a win for the customer."

Thompson said the transaction price would be kept confidential.

The consolidation comes as General Motors has realigned dealerships over the past few years, Thompson said.

"It's instead of having dealers so close, like any business with one on every corner," Thompson said. "So GM asked us if we were interested in purchasing it, and we were excited for the opportunity."

Richard Gervais, owner of Gervais Kia at 6 Industrial Ave. in Lowell, said that absorbing another dealer's territory is a common occurrence. His dealership absorbed a Lincoln dealer in Methuen, and it's been "very positive" for the Lowell dealership, he said.

"The impact is taking away a competitor, so you do see an increase in the customer base," Gervais said. "It depends on the market, but it seems to happen all the time."

While Jim D'Antuono, general manager of Greater Lowell Buick-GMC, admits that it's harder and harder for the "ma-and-pa dealerships" to survive, he said there's still an opportunity for smaller dealers if they are run properly and there's a spot for them in the market.

"Bigger car organizations are certainly taking over, but a husband-and-wife business like us can still make it," D'Antuono said. "We survive because of the word of mouth and referrals. When we sell a car, it becomes a relationship that we try to build on."

Thompson, of the Nashua dealership, said that some of the Conway employees planned to retire, but he welcomes them to visit the Nashua dealership and "entertain the thought of us."

MacMulkin Chevrolet Cadillac has been a family-owned business since 1958. The dealership sells new and used vehicles, and offers seven-days-a-week service with a full service and parts department.

The dealership has 600 Chevrolets and 100 Cadillacs available, according to Thompson. He said that Corvettes are a hot item, with more than 250 sold a year.

The showroom consists of 40,000 square feet, three stories and 100 vehicles.

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